Saddle for bicycles



(No Model.)

A. L. GARFORD.

SADDLE FOR BIGYGLBS No. 431,573. Patented July 8, 1890.

.PIGJI- IIGJIL Witnesses- Inventor w B My; i; g r

NITE STATES PATENT FFICE.

ARTHUR L. GARFORD, OF ELYRIA, OHIO.

SADDLE FOR BICYCLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 431,573, dated July 8, 1890.

Application filed August 10, 1889- Serial No. 320,367. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR L. GARFORD, a citizen of the United States, residing'at Elyria, in the county of Lorain and State of' have very little, if any, side motion, and that when the main spring is depressed the motion of the rider will be rearward and downward. I attain these objects by means of the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure I is aside elevation of my invention, showing its application to the common saddle-support of a tricycle or Safety bicycle. Fig. II represents a front end view of clamp for coil-spring, and Fig. III represents end elevation of clamp-securing flat spring to saddle-support of bicycle or tricycle.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

A represents the usual form of L-saddle 7 support to a tricycle or Safety bicycle; B, a

flat curved spring of the general form represented in the drawings; but this form may be varied to some extent and perform its functions equally as well, and the same may be made of two or more round wires, or of any other shaped material, curved .or bent in the form shown in the drawings, and perform the same functions; but I prefer the same made of flat steel, as shown in the drawings, and herein particularly described. The front end is curved downward and rearward, and is of sufficient length to pass through the clamp, securing the same to saddlesupport of bicycle or tricycle, and also be capable of any desired adjustment forward or backward to give it any desired elasticity to suit the weights of different riders. The back end is curved more or less upward, and provided with a bolt-hole or other means for attaching same to the back frame of a saddle-seat.

0 represents an adjustable clamp, and c a set-screw for holding the spring B rigidly in place, and c a set-screw for securing same to the bicycle or tricycle saddle support. This clamp 0 forms a support for the spring B at or'near its lower end, and from which point deflection from its normal position takes place throughout its entire length forward and above this point as weight is applied to the saddle-seat. More or less stiffnessor tension is given to the spring B as the lower end is moved backward or forward in its clamp.

D represents another clamp, adjustable, which is so constructed as to be rigidly secured to the upper front end of the fiat spring B, and also capable of being moved back and forth along said fiat spring B, for the purpose of taking up slack in the saddle-seat. To this clamp D is attached a spring d, which may be of the form shown in the drawings, or any other suitable form, and so constructed that its motion at the point of attachment of the saddle-seat will be principally rearward and very slightlydownward. To the upper end of this spring is attached the front end of the saddle seat or cover.

E represents the back frame of the saddle of any suitable form,to which is attached the rear end of the flat spring B, and the rear end of the saddle seat or cover.

F represents the saddle seat or cover, which is of proper length to be held taut when attached at the front end of the spring d at its upper end and at the rear end to the frame E. Lengthwise through the center of the saddle seat or cover a slit may be cut to give ventilation and more pliability to same.

The operation of my invention is as follows,

to wit: The saddle is attached to the bicycle or tricycle by means of a clamp C with setscrew 0. The lower end of the spring B is placed in said clamp and fastened at such a point as will give the rider the desired amount of spring to the saddle. The greater the weight of the rider the farther rearward the lower end of said spring should be fastened in said clamp, and the less the weight of the rider the farther forward should said spring be fastened in relation to said clamp. The weight of the rider being principally back of the point of attachment of this spring to the clamp O, the motion of the saddle seat or cover when depressed by a rider will be rearward and downward, the spring B being also of suflicient width to prevents its twisting under ordinary circumstances, and all side or twisting motion is thereby avoided. By this construction a very easy-riding saddle is produced, which permits of great elasticity without any appreciable side motion, and which allows the machine to easily pass over 0bstructions without throwing the rider out of line with his machine.

Havingfully described my invention and its operations, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, 1s v 1. In a saddle for a bicycle or tricycle, the spring B, curved downward and rearward at its front end and rearward and upward from its front end backward, the extreme upper rear .end forming a place for attachment for the back frame E of the saddle to which the cover is attached, whereby a downward and rearward motion is obtained to the saddle seat or cover when the same is depressed, all as above set forth, and substantially as described.

2. In a saddle for bicycles and tricycles, the combination, with the frame E, saddleseat F, spring D, the spring B, attached at its lower end to the bicycle or tricycle by a clamp, whereby a downward and rearward motion is obtained to the saddle seat or cover when same is depressed, all as above set forth, and substantially as described.

3. In a saddle for a bicycle or tricycle, in combination, a U shaped spring B, the upper arm of which is curved slightly upward at-its rear end, a spring d, secured near the forward end of said upper arm, and a saddle-frame attached at its rear end to the upper end of said spring B, and at its front end to the .free end of the spring (1, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

4. In a saddle for a bicycle or tricycle, in

. combination, a U-shaped spring 13, the upper 

